allium

noun

al·​li·​um ˈa-lē-əm 

plural alliums

: any of a large genus (Allium) of bulbous herbs of the amaryllis family that includes the onion, garlic, chive, and leek

Examples of allium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ramps can also stand in for other alliums. —Kelly Vaughan, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026

In another photo, Kelly showed a spray of fresh flowers, including pink and white roses, yellow daffodils, and two different purple blooms that resemble alliums and morning glories. —Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Mar. 2026

Plants in the allium family can also repel aphids. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026

This is particularly common with daffodils, alliums, crocuses, grape hyacinth, tulips, and many other popular spring-flowering bulbs. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, genus name, going back to Latin ālium, allium "garlic," of uncertain origin

Note: Compared with Latin āla "wing," if the cloves of a garlic head are comparable to wings, though neither the derivational relationship nor the analogy are more than speculative.

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for allium

• gallium
• pallium
• thallium

Medical Definition

allium

noun

al·​li·​um ˈal-ē-əm 

1

Allium : a genus of bulbous herbs (as an onion, garlic, or leek) of the amaryllis family distinguished by a characteristic odor, sheathing, mostly basal leaves, and clusters of usually white, blue, purple, pink, or red flowers

2

a

: a plant of the genus Allium

b

: the bulb of garlic formerly used in medicine especially as an expectorant and rubefacient